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Having a problem with a Ripp Supercharger

160K views 515 replies 96 participants last post by  ratchettt 
#1 ·
I have a 2013 Wrangler, with 3,000 miles on it, and recently installed the Ripp Supercharger. The transmission will not shift gears on its own. When I want it to shift gears I have to let off the gas. Otherwise, it stays in gear. After about 20 min of driving like this the "hot oil" warning light comes on. No matter how gentle I am on the accelerator the hot oil light still comes on.

This has been a problem since installation. It didn't just pop up. I got about 20 miles, after having it installed, and had to have it towed to a Jeep dealer. They checked the tranny and said it was fine. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this issue or any transmission related issues? If so, what was the fix? Thanks!
 
#3 ·
Yes. They seem stumped and say they haven't seen this before.

Just want to be clear. They are looking for a solution and I have not given up on them. I'm just curious to know if anyone has had a similar experience. Maybe I am the only one but that seems unlikely.
 
#4 ·
That's the trouble with being on the cutting edge of things; not a whole lot of user experience out there. RIPP is basically having to wait for things to go wrong and fix them as they comes up, especially for a product that will see low volume sales such as a $6000.00 supercharger kit. If you've had the transmission checked out, it may very well be an electrical/drive computer issue.

Overheating your oil may likely be a result of the constant high revs you'd experience from missed shifts/manual shifting, aggravated by the fact that the engine is now running a bit hotter than manufacture specs with your new forced induction system.

Were you required to change the oil when you installed the turbo? Has the oil temp sensor been re-calibrated to take into account the higher operating temp? Just throwing some ideas out there.
 
#6 ·
I'm leaning towards the tune not being sorted out yet. Besides the issue with the tranny it runs rich in some areas and lean in others. Ripp claims this to be normal and said that the ECU should adjust. I hope so.

I just get nervous when told that I'm "the only one" out of thousands installed. I've been modifying cars for 20 years and have heard that too many times.

I'm willing to be patient but this has been dragging on for a bit and the response from Ripp, so far, hasn't eased my concerns.
 
#5 ·
How does the RIPP perform otherwise? Any gains, mileage that are noticeable. Just curious if it does something over a CAI since those don't do much by themselves.

Thanks
 
#8 ·
I wouldn't get too worked up about being the only one. If my experience with my Superchips tuner is any indication; Chrysler spits out new tunes all the time, and it's a scramble on the aftermarket side to keep up with updates and de-conflict programming. In my case; my PCM was bricked for over a week and I was left in a no-start condition until everything could be ironed out on the manufacturer's side. Superchips was awesome about keeping me informed and the final product was well worth it, but it was a little hair raising considering my Jeep had less than 500 miles on it.

If I remember correctly, the very first supercharger kits for the 3.6L Pentastar only came out a couple of months ago. I can't imagine they've sold more than a couple hundred since then. So many variables between vehicles of the same make/model these days, I expect RIPP will ultimately fix the problem, but it will take time.
 
#12 ·
I used to buy vehicles and start changing everything right away; tires, suspension, electronics, looks...you name it, I would do it. My experience was that after doing all of that, things never turned out right. Always some new problems would appear or I simply spent $ to make my ride worse. I learned my lesson after spending much to make things worse. Now I avoid doing things and simply enjoy what I get, the way I get it. Amazing the amount of money (and head aches) I have saved by not doing these stuff anymore! Learned my lesson the hard way.
 
#13 ·
Laughed when I read this because I know exactly what you mean. I've had the mod bug for as long as I can remember. I've had some really good experiences and two terrible experiences. I did a Cummins swap on an H1 Hummer that was just a nightmare. Had a Porsche GT2 and spent more modding it than I paid for the car. It never ran right again! You'd think I'd learn but, nope!

Lots of folks have had a good experience with Ripp so I'm optimistic.
 
#16 · (Edited)
The tune should only address fuel/air issues, not shiftpoints. Did you have this problem before the RIPP system was installed? Is your speedometer working correctly? How about your tach? I don't understand how a supercharger can mess with your shifting, I don't think the supercharger is the problem. Sound like you did something when you installed it (like unclipped a harness, snagged a wire, broke a sensor, etc.) It just appears the supercharger is the cause since the problem appeared after it was installed, but it's something else that was done during the install that's causing it. Did the dealer run a diagnostic on the computer to make sure everything is fine? Did they update the firmware or something?
 
#20 ·
On a different note.....what was the dealers thoughts on the supercharger and the chip.....sounds like it may cost you a lot of money if the dealer fixes it. It would be ez for the dealer to blame any warranty work or lack there of, on the mods. Hope you get it figured out and if all else fails I will give you $2500 for the RIPP.
 
#31 ·
I fear there is a miscommunication going on. There is no user defined input (yet) allowed for the shift points. Either the Diablo is fixing a predefined set of shift points or it resets the transmissions memory to nil. I went through this with the '12 and detailed it in the Diablo thread. My thinking is it is predefined once by them because when I installed the 91 octane tune everything was immediate. Shifting, boost (hp/tq) everything. Then when I went up to the 94 octane tune but with 93 octane fuel, everything was out of sync. shifting felt like the day I got it when the tranny is learning your style of driving. It didn't get better after trying for a while, but when I went back to the 91 tune with 91 gas, it immediately reverted to how it was before I switched over/up. There fore I suspect they can set the shift points in the tune one time in accordance with the air fuel other changes, but to get it to where users can on the fly set it, not yet.

In referecnce to the Op, there are actually some horror stories both with and without an SC installed but older models of them blowing the transmission. Very similar symptoms to yours, doesn't get out of gear or does but too late and things go sideways, same deal with some '13's without an SC. Put your googling boots on and plug that all in both in this forum and other jeep forums. with and without an SC. One guys solution was merely replacement of an o ring in the oil pump. Check it all out.

Sounds like something is not connected or is leaking or is not functioning correctly in the kit? I would think the manufacturer should be able to pin point what part of the SC has any effect on the transmission and have you look there.

otherwise I'd disconnect the battery for 30 minutes, redo and try
then reinstall the factory tune, start it up, then reinstall the SC tune
worst case, remove and replant the OEM stuff and see if it then has nothing to do with the install at all.

Seems big enough of a problem you can isolate it within 10 steps either way.
 
#32 ·
I have a 2013 Wrangler, with 3,000 miles on it, and recently installed the Ripp Supercharger. The transmission will not shift gears on its own. When I want it to shift gears I have to let off the gas. Otherwise, it stays in gear. After about 20 min of driving like this the "hot oil" warning light comes on. No matter how gentle I am on the accelerator the hot oil light still comes on.

This has been a problem since installation. It didn't just pop up. I got about 20 miles, after having it installed, and had to have it towed to a Jeep dealer. They checked the tranny and said it was fine. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this issue or any transmission related issues? If so, what was the fix? Thanks!
This is not a guessing game - there is a simple answer here -

This is not a TUNE or Tool issue, this is a mathematical equation that's ends up being tire calibration at the ECU....For example, if you had a AEV ProCAL previously installed in the vehicle, then your installer retrieved a back up file for us to turn into a RIPP file and then rewrote the tune on top of your previously AEV tuned vehicle. The tire calibration (math) will be wrong.... because your "stacking" the tire sizes. When this condition occurs, you're locked out of the Procal and you cannot adjust it - and your Diablo adjustment cannot find the proper grounding for the Tire/Gear calibration -This then becomes a guessing game for everyone involved, you don't know, we don't know nor does the installer.

Therefore, your installer would need to find the base tire size and work up from there - and all this will go away... or reverse everything electronic out and find the AEV Procal and use it to adjust tire size. Or ask the original modifying shop what they used to tune the larger wheel/tire combo prior to the SC install...

RIPP CANNOT CORRECT THIS IN THE ENGINE CALIBRATION - This is a product of the final tuning by the installation facility.

That's the trouble with being on the cutting edge of things; not a whole lot of user experience out there. RIPP is basically having to wait for things to go wrong and fix them as they comes up, especially for a product that will see low volume sales such as a $6000.00 supercharger kit. If you've had the transmission checked out, it may very well be an electrical/drive computer issue.

Overheating your oil may likely be a result of the constant high revs you'd experience from missed shifts/manual shifting, aggravated by the fact that the engine is now running a bit hotter than manufacture specs with your new forced induction system.

Were you required to change the oil when you installed the turbo? Has the oil temp sensor been re-calibrated to take into account the higher operating temp? Just throwing some ideas out there.
This is not the cse - we have over 300 kits running soundly work wide.... we did our testing the previous 18 month before launch. The oil is being heated from the condition explained above.


I'm leaning towards the tune not being sorted out yet. Besides the issue with the tranny it runs rich in some areas and lean in others. Ripp claims this to be normal and said that the ECU should adjust. I hope so.

I just get nervous when told that I'm "the only one" out of thousands installed. I've been modifying cars for 20 years and have heard that too many times.

I'm willing to be patient but this has been dragging on for a bit and the response from Ripp, so far, hasn't eased my concerns.
Are you saying that an engine tune file can't mess with shift points?
Correct

Totally wrong. The ripp tune reteaches the trans when to shift.

I watched this process up close, and this quote may have been accurate in the 80s and 90s but today, its incorrect. The RIPP tune teaches the engines computer to deal with the extra air, AND teaches the transmission's cpu when to shift.
We mathmatically correct the Load settings on the ECU (Engine Control Module) side, there is no TCM (Trans Control Module) control... in any Mopar aftermarket circle that we know of. This load setting allows the ECU to act differently and the trans follows. Our calibration has been tested to be stable at high altitude.

Question welcome,

RIPPTECH
 
#33 ·
This is not a guessing game - there is a simple answer here -

This is not a TUNE or Tool issue, this is a mathematical equation that's ends up being tire calibration at the ECU....For example, if you had a AEV ProCAL previously installed in the vehicle, then your installer retrieved a back up file for us to turn into a RIPP file and then rewrote the tune on top of your previously AEV tuned vehicle. The tire calibration (math) will be wrong.... because your "stacking" the tire sizes. When this condition occurs, you're locked out of the Procal and you cannot adjust it - and your Diablo adjustment cannot find the proper grounding for the Tire/Gear calibration -This then becomes a guessing game for everyone involved, you don't know, we don't know nor does the installer.

Therefore, your installer would need to find the base tire size and work up from there - and all this will go away... or reverse everything electronic out and find the AEV Procal and use it to adjust tire size. Or ask the original modifying shop what they used to tune the larger wheel/tire combo prior to the SC install...

RIPP CANNOT CORRECT THIS IN THE ENGINE CALIBRATION - This is a product of the final tuning by the installation facility.



This is not the cse - we have over 300 kits running soundly work wide.... we did our testing the previous 18 month before launch. The oil is being heated from the condition explained above.






Correct



We mathmatically correct the Load settings on the ECU (Engine Control Module) side, there is no TCM (Trans Control Module) control... in any Mopar aftermarket circle that we know of. This load setting allows the ECU to act differently and the trans follows. Our calibration has been tested to be stable at high altitude.

Question welcome,

RIPPTECH
Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I agree, the ECU can compensate for things on it's own, but the supercharger kit itself does not mess with anything transmission related.
 
#36 ·
Took the supercharger off and went back to stock. It drives perfect again. Sorry, but you can't tell me that something isn't wrong with the tune. My installer has done everything that Ripp has asked them to do. It drives like crap with the Ripp kit installed.
 
#37 ·
Superchargers are mechanical...you should have just installed the stock tune, and checked if the transmission shifted properly without stripping the entire system, which would have isolated the culprit. Hell, you could have flashed the stock tune, put on the stock belt (bypassing the supercharger pulley) and checked that way. Sound to me like your shop is a bunch of amateurs. RIPP has sold many kits that run perfectly well, so its pretty apparent to me that the kit isn't the issue.
 
#42 ·
Well before you go all in defending RIPP you should know their kits do not run perfect. I installed a kit in September on a 2013 JKUR and after 10 different tunes numerous MILs I still have stumbling and BACKFIRING when the engine is open loop. I think they have basically written me off as I have not heard from them in 6 weeks. Guess it's just my problem....except that I know another guy in Montana at a slightly lower elevation that has the same issue. So he's right...it runs like crap and I'm concerned about damaging the engine due to too lean mixture ratio
I am the installer and I defy you to call me an amateur.
 
#43 · (Edited)
Not calling you anything. His specific problem was not ripp related although it seemed like it was. I don't defend anyone, just speak the truth, or what I believe to be the truth, nothing more.

As for your problem, have you checked your AFRs? Are you running rich? Have you checked the plugs? Or is it lean with white tipped plugs? Obviously the tune seems to be off, and the only way to get it right is to tune it on a dyno at your specific elevation, but I fear that isn't an easy thing to do with the diablo tuner, which is my main concern with all these kits.
 
#44 ·
Been through all that. It's not rich, it's lean, hence the backfiring. My inclination is the open loop tables don't have AFRs appropriate for the increased air. What is making the problem apparent is being at 5600' elevation. I can't verify that because the tables are only known to Chrysler and those that have cracked the Chrysler program. I'm thinking the baro sample at start is what sets the AF
 
#45 ·
Yea that is an issue. The sad part is it's technically easy to correct, just not on a JK because they don't really have a programmable (by a user or a tuner) computer/piggyback (like the AEM from the sports car world). Have you contacted Diablo to see if they can aid in any way?
 
#50 ·
Ripp, I'll make you a deal. You give me the name of a shop in the Denver area that you recommend and I'll give them my Jeep. If they can get it to run, like it should, I'll send you $500 and post an apology. If they can't, you give me a full refund.
 
#53 ·
There's a fuse that i pulled a while back trying to fix a radio that stopped working, that seemed to do nothing other than make the "HOT OIL" light come on, and also turned the fan on full blast. Cant remember which fuse, but................if it was loose.....
 
#61 ·
Should have tried pulling it out of your current shop and bringing it to a Diablo Authorized dealers - they are all over the country... They would have been able to find the fault.

REAL Shame
RIPPTECH[/QUOTE]

I just re-read this. This sounds like you're saying Diablo has something to do with the tune. They have told me they don't. So which is it?
 
#64 ·
Should have tried pulling it out of your current shop and bringing it to a Diablo Authorized dealers - they are all over the country... They would have been able to find the fault.

REAL Shame
RIPPTECH
I just re-read this. This sounds like you're saying Diablo has something to do with the tune. They have told me they don't. So which is it?[/QUOTE]

Same thing I was told.
 
#70 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3240
Ripp,

On your website, you list two shops in Englewood, CO. That's close to me. I'll send my truck to them if you're confident they'll get it running right. If they can't, I get a full refund. Deal?
Deal....

Please call into the office on Monday and we'll get you the correct shop in your area.... 7188151313 x17
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fourwheeler456
wow good thing I read this. Looks like i just saved 5200 bucks and a lot of headaches. Ripp should definitely take up on that offer of sending it to the shop and having him write and apology if they can fix it if they want to continue having a clientele.
We're sorry this one experience is held in comparison to the 3000+ kits we've sold world wide and countless good reviews written. But we understand your point and respect it.

Our 07-11 kits run flawlessly and have been for years... The 2012-2014 JK is fresh and is bound to run into a hiccup on the field. So far any hiccup experienced with a Pentastar powered vehicle has been math at the rear wheel and not our actually calibration.....

Ask yourself ... what would we have to gain by putting a poorly engineered product to market... nothing... So we wouldn't sell it, we have too much integrity and too much to lose.


Quote:
Originally Posted by PRS
I just re-read this. This sounds like you're saying Diablo has something to do with the tune. They have told me they don't. So which is it?
Our tuning is called a calibration - our Fuel and Timing is up to snuff, its been tested. The TOOL which brings the calibration is a Diablo, the calculated wheel speed is Diablo... So its a collaboration... But the tune is ours.

Diablo Authorized Shops (Tuners) know their way around the tool and the final calibration... They would be better positioned to deal with anything either the TOOL or the Tune is throwing at us... They have core software to correct any condition.


Quote:
Originally Posted by PRS
Well before you go all in defending RIPP you should know their kits do not run perfect. I installed a kit in September on a 2013 JKUR and after 10 different tunes numerous MILs I still have stumbling and BACKFIRING when the engine is open loop. I think they have basically written me off as I have not heard from them in 6 weeks. Guess it's just my problem....except that I know another guy in Montana at a slightly lower elevation that has the same issue. So he's right...it runs like crap and I'm concerned about damaging the engine due to too lean mixture ratio
I am the installer and I defy you to call me an amateur.
There are new tunes on the MARKET you should revisit this with RIPPTUNING.... We're sure all BETA issues are solved with a TOOL and Tune update... No one writes ANYONE off at RIPP.... all clients are important to us.... Especially ones with problems...

RIPPTECH
 
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